Ottawa has made it official and is dropping the COVID-19 testing requirement for fully vaccinated travelers returning to Canada.
Federal health minister Jean-Yves Duclos says the changes will take effect on April 1st.
“Fully vaccinated travelers may still continue to undergo random testing upon entry to Canada, but they are no longer required to quarantine while awaiting their results,” explains Duclos.
Duclos adds partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travelers will still have to take a PCR test upon arrival at the border and while quarantining for 14 days will be tested again on Day 8.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says it’s something that will benefit many different sectors of the Canadian economy.
“It is a great day for Canadian travelers, tourism, and aviation. All along we (have said we) would adjust our border measures based on public health recommendations, and that is exactly what we’re doing today.”
He adds that travelers going on cruise ships will still have to be fully vaccinated and be tested no more than one day before their scheduled departure, but won’t have to be tested before getting off the cruise ship.
Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault says the reduction of the travel restrictions should help the tourism sector which was particularly hard hit because of the pandemic.
“With the reduction in travel restrictions announced today…we are making it easier for people around the world to visit Canada this spring and beyond.”
Boissonnault feels travelers from around the world will come to Canada because it’s seen to be safe, because of our high vaccination rate.
(With files from Allan Dearing)
